Dr. Babak Larian, and his team of specialists at the CENTER provide safe and minimally invasive treatment for parotid and salivary gland stones. Through the use of an advanced procedure called a sialendoscopy during salivary gland surgery, they are able to extract the stones, eliminate painful symptoms, and restore one’s quality of life.
A parotid stone develops when chemicals, debris and calcium build up to form a small rock-like object, also known as a stone, that becomes lodged in the salivary or parotid glands. Stones can vary in shape and size, and typically feel like a hard sponge. When they occur, they often block the duct to the gland, resulting in swelling, inflammation, and infection, as well as an inability for saliva to pass through properly.
Although many individuals with parotid and salivary gland stones are asymptomatic (or not showing symptoms), some patients may present the following symptoms:
Although the exact cause of this painful condition is unknown, experts do know that certain individuals are more at risk of developing stones than others. For example, stones are more likely to affect individuals who are elderly, suffer from gout or kidney disease, or have undergone head and neck radiotherapy.
Additional risk factors for developing parotid and salivary gland stones include dehydration, poor eating, trauma to the salivary glands and certain medications including blood pressure, psychiatric and bladder control drugs.
When a patient is suffering from parotid or salivary gland stones, Dr. Larian will commonly perform a minimally invasive sialendoscopy, or endoscopic salivary duct surgery, which uses a very thin scope to go through the duct to extract the stones and resolve the condition. A sialendoscopy is the preferred treatment method for parotid and salivary gland stones located in the ducts of the gland, because it resolves the condition without requiring the full or partial removal of the affected gland.
Commonly performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, Dr. Larian will begin the surgery by entering the duct of the affected gland with a thin, specialized endoscope. From there, he will locate the stone and expertly extract it with a tiny metal basket. A relatively quick and painless procedure, patients are often able to return home within an hour following surgery with no external scarring or tissue damage to the surrounding areas. In the majority of cases, symptoms of the stones such as pain and swelling will begin to resolve immediately following your salivary gland surgery, with a full recovery occurring within one week.
While some individuals will only experience a single salivary gland stone in their lifetime, others may be prone to recurring stones and infections. Although a sialendoscopy is an excellent way to minimize the development of future stones, they may continue to recur in some patients.
As prior stones increase one’s chance of developing additional stones, patients are advised to take specific preventative measures, including increasing their fluid intake and maintaining impeccable oral care.
The incision sites will minimally require six weeks to heal. The treated area will continue to heal and change over the following months, but the incisions themselves will be fully resolved if there were no complications – and complications are rare.
People who have already had salivary stones are more likely to form more. Typically, in these cases, the conditions that favor stone formation are already present and therefore it can be common for more to form.
It is not currently thought that they are as there are many different causes behind the formation of salivary stones such as a person’s diet and oral hygiene.
No, there are many techniques and approaches when it comes to removing salivary stones, as the stone or stones will vary in size, shape, and position within the gland and the ducts. Sometimes through stimulated and rapid production of saliva, the stone may be able to be dislodged. In other instances, the surgeon may opt to use sialendoscopy, a less invasive surgical technique. Our surgeon will be able to assess which approach will be most appropriate to resolve your individual case.
Led by board-certified parotid surgeon, Dr. Babak Larian, our team of specialists has decades of experience successfully diagnosing and treating diseases of the parotid glands with minimally invasive procedures. Distinguished by our compassionate care and cutting-edge techniques, the CENTER has developed a reputation for delivering the best parotid tumor surgery available.
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